
November 2022 Newsletter


DON'T FORGET!
The Ridges Landowners’ Association, Inc. Notice of Annual Meeting
Sunday, December 4, 2022 at 3 p.m.
Vista Grande Public Library
14 Avenida Torreon
Eldorado
Cimarron Development
Here in the Ridges, we enjoy a life that is closer to nature and less commercial than that of residents in town. But that may be about to change, and we can’t afford to be complacent about the development of Cimarron Village. There was a public notice meeting on September 9 led by Danny Martinez, Land Development spokesperson. He stipulated that the development was integral to the plan for Santa Fe and that they have been working on this particular plan for six years. There are plans for 17 acres of commercial development south of 25 and east of Highway 285, and although Mr. Martinez assured those attending the meeting that there would not be a gas station, liquor store, or marijuana dispensary in the proposals, there are 75 housing units planned (including 17 independent living apartments for seniors) and possibly a hotel, health food store, drugstore, or daycare center. Other suggestions were for memory care or urgent care businesses, a grocery, or a restaurant. The residential area would include a self-storage business and an open park area.
Santa Fe County has given a window of March to late summer for developing the area.
There are concerns that the wastewater reuse system may impact two nearby El Dorado Water wells.
Mr. Martinez kept repeating that everything is for sale, meaning that if the land could be bought to be left as open space, that would be fine. He mentioned the Commonweal Conservancy as a possible support for this.
How can you get involved? Come to the next meeting on November 13 at 3 PM in the Max Coll Community Center near the library (16 Avenida Torreon, Eldorado)
Contact Cynthia Weehler of ALL285 at: 285alliance@gmail.com
285ALL stands for the Highway 285 South Alliance, “a voice for the neighborhood
& region: an alliance of active residents concerned about inappropriate or irresponsible
development, drought, and water security.” (285ALL Brochure)
Recognizing Ridges Friends in Need

When the Calf Canyon/ Hermit’s Peak fires burned this past spring, many people were forced to evacuate and were desperate to find places to shelter their animals.
Andrea Verswijver answered the call that came out to Christus St Vincent’s, where she works part time as a counselor for domestic violence. Almost as soon as she offered space in her corral for a few animals, a couple in East Pecos that were evacuating called. Her rescue animals included one retired stud horse that went by the name of Romeo and two mini bulls that had been used for rodeo training called Plato and Socrates. The Verswijvers were given bales of hay, but Andrea and Teresa Seamster supplemented the feed and curried Romeo. All the work required for caring for these animals is huge, much less if you have another full time job. Hats off to Andrea and Teresa for helping people through a tough patch!

Ridges Photo Submission

Welcome to the Ridges
Agave photo by Roc Curry
Please submit your photos here.
Table of Contents
Recipe
Cranberry-Walnut Buttermilk Bran Muffins
from Karen Embertson
3 cups unprocessed wheat bran
1 cup boiling water
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup margarine
2-1/2 cups unbleached white flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 eggs, beaten
2 cups buttermilk
Mix 1 cup wheat bran with 1 cup boiling water; stir and let water absorb into bran. In a separate bowl blend sugar and margarine. Measure and mix flour, baking soda and salt. Combine the moist bran with beaten eggs, the remaining 2 cups of bran, buttermilk, sugar-margarine mixture, and flour-soda-salt. Stir until blended, adding 1/2 cup each chopped fresh cranberries and walnuts until well blended.
Place in refrigerator for future use or bake at once. To bake, preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Stir batter well and spoon into prepared muffin tins. Bake 15 minutes. Keep remaining mixture in airtight container for 2 to 4 weeks. Yield: 2 dozen.
Mulching
MULCHING TO HELP PLANTS SURVIVE COLD AND HEAT by Brigitte Phillip
You can use pine bark chips around almost all plants. Since these decompose (slowly) they add to the soil structure. That’s a good thing! One drawback of large bark chips is that they are very difficult to walk on.
We plan on placing medium shredded bark onto our veggie garden walkways this year. Smaller shredded bark and compost stick to shoes and may end up in the house via shoes or pets.
Other organic mulches to consider are pine needles, nut hulls, and leaves. Or—you can consider sowing a winter cover crop in areas that are accessible. Before the cover crop goes to seed you will want to cut those. An electric weed whacker works well for such a job as it does for cutting all native grasses.
I am not very fond of rock/gravel or any inorganic mulches because these tend to produce heat islands and do not contribute to soil health. I do like the look of gravel if it is artistically chosen.
We have 2 areas of gravel “mulch”—under an aspen stand and in the Asian garden. Both areas do not get a tremendous amount of sun.
The plants mulched with compost tend to be much happier and require less water.
Mulch should be at least 2 in. to no more than 3 in. deep and kept 2 in. away from tree trunks. The mulch should extend to the drip line.
Mulch “volcanoes” around tree trunks, shrubs, and plant stems will cause rot, and disease or may make the roots prone to grow into the mulch, possibly girdling and killing the tree.
Santa Fe, City of
73 Paseo Real
Santa Fe, NM 87507
General Information 505-955-4650
Contact: Sherman Bilbo, Compost
Phone: 505-955-4681
E-mail: http://swbilbo@santafenm.gov
Website: www.santafenm.gov/compost
Feedstocks: wood chips, biosolids, horse stable bedding
Quantity produced: 30,000-35,000 Cubic Yards per year will eventually be produced Equipment: Roto-Mix, Windrow Turner, Front End Loader, Trommel Screen, Dumptruck Application: Sod in City Parks, Erosion Control, City/County/State Projects, NMDOT Roadside Reclamation, Landscaping companies, Contractors, General Public
The composting operation processes all biosolids with appropriate high-carbon feedstocks to produce a marketable soil conditioner product. (Screened Compost $11.50/cubic yard; Unscreened Compost $9.00/cubic yard; Compost Overs $6.00/cubic yard)
Meet your Neighbors:
Pete and Mary Stauffer

When you talk to Mary and Pete Stauffer (pronounced Staw-fer) you are struck by how positive this couple is.
Mary and Pete arrived early for their appointment to see the beautiful house that Kathy and Randy Kubes had built at the corner of Principe de Paz and Buen Pastor. They walked around outside on the paths and got to know the feel of the place, and this meant a lot to Kathy and Randy. Coming from the Denver metro area, Mary and Pete had visited New Mexico often, enjoying the hiking, biking, and skiing here, as well as the food!
Mary is a semi-retired groundwater hydrologist, while Pete does consulting as a soils engineer. They have both already used their expertise to help with the Conservation Task Force and the Roads Committee.
Mary grew up in West Virginia, while Pete called Littleton, Colorado his childhood home. But they both fell in love with New Mexico and as Mary says about living in the Ridges: “I think I’m on vacation”
We are very lucky they chose the Ridges to call home–say hello to them when you see them on their bikes or pitching in to help work on community projects.
Meet your Neighbors:
Mark Reinwald and Mary Robinson

Two years ago, Mark Reinwald and Mary Robinson purchased the house at 134 Principe de Paz. Several months ago, they finally moved in to make it their home and become part of The Ridges community.
Mark is not new to New Mexico. Originally from New Jersey, he brought his skills as an auto mechanic specializing in vintage cars to Santa Fe, living here for ten years throughout the ’90s working for Europa International, then starting Automotive Resources. This interest in classic cars pulled him back east to manage Ralph Lauren’s car collection from 2002 to 2022, returning to Santa Fe periodically with Mary, whom he met in 2011. Mary has been a mental health clinician for 25 years and worked as a writer and editor for 15 years before that. They both have prior marriages, with children and grandchildren, so most travel has been family oriented. Recently retired, they wanted their next life to be in New Mexico, a place they know and love, celebrating this move with their wedding here last September. They are looking forward to pursuing their interests in gardening, learning piano, creating pottery, hiking, biking, and enjoying the company of friends.
Congratulations and welcome! We look forward to the occasional memory of Italy, with the sound of an Alfa buzzing down Principe…
Two Bucks
at Rest

Photo by Art and Velva Merrick
Photo by Larry Ross